by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2021-2022, advanced dentistry & oral sciences was the 249th most popular major nationwide with 1,796 degrees awarded.
This year's Best Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences Schools ranking compares 39 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dentistry & oral science programs later in this article.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to dentistry & oral science. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most dentistry & oral science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic advanced dentistry & oral sciences program qualifications, to serve in some dentistry & oral science careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Dentistry & Oral Science degree levels vary. Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest dentistry & oral science degree you can get. Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dentistry & oral science, with approximately 25.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for dentistry & oral science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 39.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 29.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 8.3% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 6.5% |
Most workers in dentistry & oral science have at least a doctor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in advanced dentistry & oral sciences careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the dentistry & oral science career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your dentistry & oral science degree? Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences careers are expected to grow 23.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to advanced dentistry & oral sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Dentists | 158,500 | 19.4% |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | 8,100 | 19.1% |
| Orthodontists | 7,800 | 18.2% |
| Dentists | 7,300 | 14.1% |
Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $203,661 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $130,116 to as high as $272,682. As you might expect, salaries for dentistry & oral science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for advanced dentistry & oral sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dentistry & oral science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $242,370 |
| Orthodontists | $225,760 |
| Prosthodontists | $191,400 |
| Dentists | $178,800 |
| Dentists | $175,840 |
With over 386 different dentistry & oral science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dentistry & oral science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Dental Clinical Sciences | 382 |
| Orthodontics/Orthodontology | 295 |
| Advanced General Dentistry | 189 |
| Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics | 148 |
| Oral Biology & Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology | 140 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 319,502 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 88,600 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 85,339 |
| Allied Health Professions | 83,905 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 83,587 |
